Chapter 131 Father? (III)
Calhoun's POV
"Are you sure about this?" I ask Kristen because I don't want to think she's doing this out of pity.
"Yes, Calhoun," she nods. He has nowhere else to go."
And I glance at Stewart who seems completely out of place because Bruce and my men are in front, staring at him in a cautious manner.
"But you can't trust him yet,"
"I know," Kristen puts her hand on my arm and looks at me with pleading eyes.
And I know I can't even say no to her.
"Fine. But he has to be away from you, everyone is a suspect. He can't stay here but I'll provide food and shelter for him," I say.
"Thank you," relief flashes through her face.
She covers her hands with mine and it just melts my heart. Seeing her get this way for someone who just popped out of nowhere and claimed to be her father.
"Where will you take him?" She questions after throwing him a quick glance.
"Not too far away from here," I say because I can't let him stay here with us.
"One of your apartments?" Kristen let her tongue touch her bottom lip.
"Yes," I nod, wondering how it'll feel if she nibbles on my lip like that.
"Can I come with you?" She asks, pulling me out of my wayward thoughts.
"No, you need to stay back and rest," I disagree because I don't want her stressing herself or the baby.
"You could visit him tomorrow," I add.
"Okay," she hugs me and rests her head on my chest.
It's been this way with us since she moved in. We hardly ever argue and if we do, it gets resolved quickly because neither of us can do without the other. Our bond grew stronger over the past five months.
Fifteen minutes later, Stewart is in the car with me driving. I stopped Bruce from joining us because I wanted to speak with him alone. To know his intentions, since I don't fully trust him.
"I'll take it that you've heard about me," my voice is dangerously low, as I look at him.
And he nods.
"Yes, everyone knows you as the most powerful and influential Alpha in the whole East."
"Good, I'd like to give you a warning,"
"You think I'll hurt Kristen?" Stewart blinks after asking me this question.
I am glad he's quick-witted enough to know this. He's not a dull person after all.
"I just don't trust you, alright? Who knows if Natalie paid you to do this," I ensure my voice is louder than I intended, because he needs to be afraid of me.
Between me and Stewart, it's the other way round. I am like the protective father and he, the guy who's trying to get close to the
daughter.
"You think I'm an impostor?" He gives me a sad smile as he settles his calloused hands on top of his thighs.
Why would I ever lie?" He continues, and even though I have my gaze fixed ahead of me as I drive, I can see him staring at me through my side glance.
"Kristen has been true a whole lot, and if you're truly her father, you should never think of hurting her..."
"I just wanted to see my child, that's all. And I was about to leave for good when she offered to help me," Stewart explains in the most calmest manner and I am left stunned.
"You never asked her for help?" I throw him a glance because I thought he asked Kristen for help and not the other way round.
"No, I didn't. I am not worthy of being in her life at all," he states
"Then why did you come?"
"Because I want to know what she looks like... It's been twenty-one long years and I was twenty-one when I had a fling with her mother. I didn't know I impregnated someone until last week."
And I clench my jaw to keep from talking because he does sound honest and seems emotional.
Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt because of my
mate. She has a soft heart and it's clear she wants to create a father
and daughter bond with him because she missed out on having a
father's love since the day she was born.
She could have been my stepdaughter, had we not hooked up and if
she wasn't my mate.
Turning my attention back to her father, I glare at him.
"Listen, if you try to hurt her..."
But he interrupts me from concluding.
"I would never do that," There's this firmness in his voice that
mellows down my distrust for him.
"Good. Because when she hurts, I hurt too," I make this known to
him.
"You must really love her," Says Stewart as he observes me.
While don't respond to this because I know it's not necessary.
"I am glad she has someone as powerful as you, Alpha Calhoun." Stewart stares at me with gratitude. And I'm wondering if he knows and he's trying to pretend or he's not aware at all?
Natalie didn't tell him about us? I think he has no idea that I married the mother of his daughter before we divorced and I ended up with
his daughter.
After the remaining five-minute ride, I pull up in front of the apartment and toss him the keys. It contains two rooms and I'm sure he'll be comfortable enough.
"You can stay here in the meantime, the house is fully equipped. Make use of the car as well and write a list of the things you'll be needing, my Beta will come to pick it up."
Kristen's dad thin his lips and shoots me a grateful look. Thanks to his daughter, he's not homeless anymore. I don't even
care if he stays here for as long as possible, I just hope he has no bad intentions towards my mate and my wife-to-be.
Upon knowing there's nothing else to do, I alight from the car, shift and run back home.